A severe outbreak of tornadoes began lashing parts of the South overnight and were likely to continue through Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned.

Cities in northern Alabama reported power outages, and the weather service in Huntsville reported at least three confirmed tornadoes in the area.

In Limestone County, and Alabama county on the Tennessee border, the sheriff’s office posted photos online of houses with roofs ripped off and outbuildings torn from their foundations. Several roads were closed because of power lines or trees, the office tweeted. But it had no reports of injuries from the storms.

School systems from central Tennessee south to Birmingham, Ala., said they were dismissing classes early, so students and staff would have time to get home before the storms struck.

Heavy rain will also be possible with these storms, the weather service said.

The northern half of Alabama, including metro Birmingham, could be hit with strong tornadoes, hail as large as golf balls to tennis balls plus 70-mph winds. Hail that size can cause serious damage to buildings and cars, said meteorologist Kurt Weber with the weather service in Huntsville, Ala.

“This is one of those days you want to put the car in the garage, if you can,” Weber said.

The risk of severe weather will likely spread south into Florida on Tuesday, potentially threatening baseball's spring training games and spring break vacation plans.

Contributing: The Associated Press

The TORCON is up to 7 for north Alabama, which means there is a 70% chance of a tornado within 50 miles of any location in the indicated area. Potentially damaging straight-line winds and hail are also possible through the afternoon and evening. #severe#ALwxpic.twitter.com/KMbjrATcrw